What I Don't Have:
The nicest house on the block.
A new, fancy car.
Lots of money. 
A really well kept lawn.
Trendy, designer clothes.
Any fancy new gadgets that most people can't do without.
What I DO Have:
Two terrific "kids" that manage to be around for me.
My precious Mother who always encourages and supports me.
Some unbelievable friends that I couldn't live without.
A job that I absolutely LOVE.
A House.
A Car.
Enough to eat
Enough to pay my bills.
Lots of JOY.
It's easy to stay focused on things we are lacking in life....and immensely better to focus on all that we have to be thankful for. I have been blessed in so many different ways that the other things don't even matter. I don't have it ALL, but I don't NEED it all...I have ENOUGH. Enough to make me happy to get out of bed in the morning and look forward to another new day. Enough to say I've made a difference in many people's lives. Enough to FEEL that I have it all, even if I don't. (Shhhhhh, don't tell anyone!).
**Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant since 1997 and is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island providing on site Feng Shui Consultations for New York City (Manhattan) and all of Long Island for Homes, Apartments, Businesses, Corporations, Renovations and New Construction. Carole also provides Lectures and Workshops on Feng Shui Principles.
Carole- What you focus on expands.So those who focus on lack, get more lack. Those who focus on not enough, will never have enough. IF you love your life, you are on the right path! :)
Carole,
What a beautiful post!! It was a real pick me up tonight for me to read this and made me think of how fortunate I too am. Thank you for always being so positive and such a bright light for all of those around you....
(((-:
Jo
Perhaps the gentleman who posted earlier about not enough time should read your post. Basically what is NICE and what is NECESSARY.
Have a great evening!
Thanksgiving on May 19th. I vote we change the holiday. Carole, my Missus taught me a valuable lesson many years ago: "There will always be folks better off and worse off than you. Help the worse off become better off. You'll stop seeing the original better off's." So true.
I'm flagging this for a Feature. Hope others do as well :)
Carole -- you DO have it all! It's just that the material stuff starts to clutter the brain. Enjoy life, you kids, your work and your mom! You definately are on the right track.
Carole ~ So true. As I get older I find that I appreciate more of what I do have and am not reaching for those things that really aren't going to make me happy in the long run. There have been weekends when I know I have to do stuff around my own house, but I haven't seen my parents in a couple of weeks so I think "the laundry will be here tomorrow, but my parents might not", and I'll jump in the car and go visit them for a little while.
Carole, Good for you, so many people are so brainwashed into thinking of what we don't have instead of being happy and counting blessing for what we have.
Carole, this reminds me of that story that you have ENOUGH. You have enough of all the right things in life, and I am so happy you have joy. You bring joy to me with your thoughts. Keep it up. You are making a difference! : )
Delightful Carole...what a pleasant way to end my day!
Carole... an excellent message, that so many of us forget or overlook. Thanks for the reminder....
Carole- I just read something yesterday on this theme.....appreciate what we do have, and quit worrying about what we don't have. Sounds to me like your priorities are much better than the proverbial "Jone's'".
Carole, you have an wise way of perceiving your life... you have it all indeed. To be happy, really happy with all that life offers you and not look into what is missing... is the key to deep happiness. Thank you for reminding us what really matters in life.
Enough is what we are content with. I am content with what I have today. And it sure ain't about the material things or having control or being right.....it's about just being me...being real....and family and really good friends I can trust. No games, no deceitful stuff...just living today....content.
When you get older the "stuff" matters less and less. In the production years it is harder to recognize that and more is accumulated.
Carole - I have always had enough - of everything. And I have always been thankful for that. There are many that don't have enough - enough food, enough health, enough education, etc. It is our lot in life, as those that do have enough, to share and show compassion for those that don't. In this, the land of plenty, there should not be anyone that does not have enough.
Hi Carole,
Giving thanks reguarly for what we have will keep us focused on our blessings. There will always be people who have more "material" things than we do and if trying to "keep up with the Jones" is our goal, we will never succeed. True happiness comes from relationships with people, not possession of things.
Society and the media contaminates us.
Carole, what a great reminder to keep our gratitude lists close and read them often! It's so easy to get caught up in negative energy. You are such a positive influence on all of us!
Hi Carole,
Very heartwarming post. You hit the nail on the head we don't need all the fancy stuff because when it boils down to it that's all it is, is stuff.
Carole: Sometimes we learn too late that we don't need all the "stuff" that we think we do. I have the love of my family and even though I recently lost my most beloved friend in the whole world and I'm very sad without her, I am so thankful that she was with me through many years (my treasured dog Boopi). It wasn't until I moved to the mountains to simplify my life after so many years in the rat race, that I realized the true measure of happiness in the simple things. Nothing like having the beauty of nature to surround you and the love of family and great friends whether human or the furry kind and the feeling of contentment. I think people lack being content and try to find it in "stuff".
My prayer for all is good health - after 20 years of ICU Nursing I've seen plenty of people without it!
If my family & friends are healthy - we are all blessed and I consider us all to be the wealthiest people on earth!
Awesome Post on PERSPECTIVE Carole - thanks for sharing.
Sincerely,
Grace
Wonderful perspective, Carole, and so true. I'd thought about getting another car, then had to consider exactly WHY, when the car that I have is fine. BUT- I will say that the time afforded in a down market has made me a lawn fanatic- so, my yard looks great! :)
Hi Carole,
Gratitude is EVERYTHING! When times are tough, when we seem to go against life's flow (or it seems that way), it's hard to find a grain of gratitude. But, there are always many things we should be grateful for if we change our perspective.
Gratitude for what we DO have is crucial to happiness. I'm not surprised that you have found the key is being grateful. Your attitude of thankfulness will bring all you need, Carole.
And this is why I subscribe to your blog. Thank you Carole!
Are you being coy? Sounds like you do indeed have it all! At least all that really matters!
Katerina, You are absolutely right...and I choose to focus on all the good.
Jo, I never forget to count my blessings, that's what makes them grow I believe.
Katharine, Thank you for your comment. I missed that other post but maybe that's a good thing, I tend to stay away from negativity.
Andrew, Your misses is one wise woman, you are lucky to have her. Thank you so much for the flag, YOU are the prolific writer on AR!
Joan, I sometimes wonder how it is that people don't see how fortunate they really are!
Kathy, I'm glad you're going to see your parents. The wash will always wait for you :) I hope you're feeling better.
Audrey, Thank you for your comment. Some people don't see how lucky they really are to have what they have in life...until something really awful happens---why wait?
Gary, I don't know if I am making a difference, I am just expressing my views...it doesn't mean it will turn people's thinking around...but I always hope so :)
Joan, Good, then I'm so glad you stopped by!
Jeff, Every once in a small while I forget myself...for about a minute! Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
Kathy, The "Jones" definitely have "better" cars, houses, lawns...but I wonder if they're as happy as I am.
Arina, Thank you for your kind comment. Some things I wish I realized much earlier in life.
Sally, The perfect word I should have used in the post: Content. That's just what I am and no, material things don't bring that to anyone.
Missy, You're very right. Things I used to think were important aren't the things that bring you joy.
Carol, I always think about those less fortunate and that don't have enough of anything....and it makes me VERY grateful for all that I do have.
Cynthia, You're right, society makes us feel as if we don't have the latest gadget or toy we are not "up" on things. I am teaching my children differently and always hope it's getting through.
Diane, That's funny that you mentioned that, I am so used to keeping these "lists" in my head that I haven't written them down. I will do that, it infuses it with energy.
Trace, It's all "stuff." And only stuff. On a recent consultation my client had at least 150 designer bags...does anyone really need all that?
Donna, I know how difficult it is, I guess many of us have been there and I know time heals a bit but I always miss my pets. Just a word if you happen to read this, I truly get "signs" from my dogs and wouldn't at all be surprised if you did as well.
Grace, I saw that during my hospital stay....I came home VERY grateful. When my mother gets very sad I remind her of those people that are so sick and nothing can be done for them.
Laurie, My lawn looks awful...care to exchange a consultation for some planting? I haven't gotten to that yet but I am going to very soon!
Marzena, Thanks for the picture. Attitude is everything and so is gratefulness...you choose the way you want to live your life.
Bonnie, Thank you. What we do is a huge part of being happy and thankful...loving your job which many of us here do--and sticking it out when times are tough.
Dena, What a nice thing to say, thank you.
Rich, I know you know how it feels to be a ton lighter-and you realized how little really mattered to you, too except the important things.
It is easy to take for granted the things we have. We all should take a moment, as you have, to make a list of all the good things in our lives. I believe most of us will be surprised to realize how blessed we truly are.
Great post. You have a wonderful life and I thank you for sharing it. We should never look up at people who have more than we do, but we should look down, appreciate what we have and help those with less. Have a great day.
Carole~I can think of even more things you have as well. You have...a beautiful smile, incredible talent(s), a giving heart, a warm hug (even felt from miles away), amazing knowledge, everlasting desire, commpassion, fantastic writing, and, and...so much more.
Thank you for the reminder of what we should be focusing on.
Rosario, I think too often we forget what's really important and get caught up in things that aren't. It's a shame to miss out on all we do have.
Susan, What a lovely comment. There are always people less fortunate and I do remember to try to help them....and hope your comment inspires others to do the same.
Julie, Your comment brought tears to my eyes, thank you my sweet friend. One day you'll get that hug in person!
I truly can't wait! Much love to YOU and have a wonderful weekend.
ENOUGH! Yes, most of us are lucky enough to have it! Thanks for the reminder. It is hard when you get caught up sometimes in needing MORE!